When it comes to College, we all know it can be tough. I still laugh at the idea that in High School I rocked seven different classes every day without a sweat, but in College four or five can cripple someone. I'm not a fan of blaming "the system" or Professors, Advisors, etc. Because you are working with people in College (yes, your Professors and Advisors are indeed human beings), you can help yourself accomplish more by not neglecting them.
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A few years ago, a mentor of mine told me that "Life is all people". At that time, I didn't really know what that meant, but slowly my understanding grew that if you want to be a successful _____ (you fill in the blank), then you have to be successful at working with people. The daily decisions of other people often determine your success, so make their decisions easy! Earn it. Since life is all people, and right now you want to be a successful student, then learn to work well with the people who may be making decisions to determine your success. Avoid these five ways to mess up your semester.
1. Don't Go To Class
Your Professors notice when you aren't in class, even if they don't take roll. At College, you are investing (usually a considerable amount of money) in yourself, don't waste it. Going to class consistently gives you the effort points needed for a teacher to want to help you. It is really hard to fail a student who is consistently coming to class and turning in everything. You do get credit for trying because you are separating yourself from those who don't.
2. Never Talk to Your Professor
I found that the better I got to know my Professor, the better I tended to do in class. This doesn't mean you have to be best friends, but spending time builds a relationship. After class, say thank you. Go visit them during their Office Hours. Ask for help! He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, he who doesn't ask a question remains a fool forever. This is about you succeeding, not anyone else. Swallow your pride and focus on establishing a relationship with your Professor early in the semester. They will be so much more willing to work with you as the semester progresses than those who line up outside the door the week before finals.
3. Throw Away Your Time
Be where you need to be, when you need to be there, with what you need to have. College is all about your education, you need to be a bit selfish about that. If you know you need to study, study! If you planned on going to the Library for that hour, go! You don't have to scrub a study session because your group doesn't show up, study anyways! If a Professor pulls the old "Class Cancelled" sign on the door, go in there and work on homework for that class. That is what you set aside that time for, be accountable to it. Run your schedule so it doesn't run you.
4. Balance Their Schedule
When you register for your classes next semester, be smart about it. You need balance. Do not load your schedule with only hard classes. Don't go with all easy ones either. You are going to school to get a degree for a certain career, be sure to always be working towards that. I have found that this model of types of classes to always be successful:
-2 Classes that have a direct tie to your career (these don't have to be your favorites, just ones that you know you need to get done).
-1 Class you know will be hard (think of that subject you hate, but have to take).
-1 Class you look forward to (this class can be hard, but you are interested in the topic).
-1 Class you can consider a freebie (it is always good to have a class that can serve as a break and still count towards your elective count).
5. Not Get Involved
It doesn't really matter where you go to school, but it does matter how. When you ask people about their College experiences, you don't hear about that hard 1050 class. You hear about the experiences, the people, and the growth. Go to campus events, go to that program your RA is hosting, get involved in a club, or even just go study in the writing lab. Life is all people, go meet them. You will be blown away by how the people you meet turn out to be your biggest help with Anatomy or Math, or the ones you end up starting a business with, or even the one you marry. Get involved.
Notice, these five mistakes have nothing to do with intelligence. Half of success is showing up. The rest is showing up on time with what you need to have. Invest in yourself, give consistent effort, be protective of your time, and utilize the people around you. Those Professors, Advisors, and others turn in to valuable references and mentors along the way. Life is all people. Live that way.
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